Birmingham City told to look at "better quality" than Aston Villa forward | OneFootball

Birmingham City have been urged to avoid any deal for the 22-year-old

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Aston Villa forward Louie Barry was set to make his loan spell at Hull City permanent after agreeing a move to the Tigers, but the deal is now in serious doubt - and Birmingham City have been urged to avoid any deal for the 22-year-old.

As per The Athletic, Hull agreed a £3.5m deal with Villa - but a 50 percent sell-on clause and Barry's wages are seen as a big problem. Birmingham City had previously shown interest in Barry earlier this year, with reports suggesting Blues were monitoring his situation.

However, with Demarai Gray's imminent arrival after passing his medical, the Blue half of the Second City derby have been told to set their sights higher than signing a rival player.

Birmingham City urged to steer clear of Louie Barry move

Speaking to FLW about Barry's potential availability following Hull City's transfer difficulties, our resident bluenose Jason Moore was clear in his view on the current Villan.

"At the start of the transfer window, even in January, I was a big fan of Louie Barry and I said I would've taken him, but for Villa connections and stuff like that I just think there’s better out there - and he’s not actually had a season at proven championship level so no for me," Moore explained.

Moore raised concerns about Barry's lack of second-tier experience - despite the forward's impressive goalscoring record in League One.

Barry scored 15 goals and provided three assists in 23 appearances for Stockport County during the first half of last season, earning him two League One Player of the Month awards. However, his loan spell at Hull City was cut short by injury after just four games.

Demarai Gray signing changes Blues' priorities in the window

Moore's stance on Barry has been influenced by Birmingham's capture of Demarai Gray, who is set to be officially announced this week returning to his boyhood club on a free transfer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.

"Demarai Gray coming in is absolutely fantastic and i think he will rip the Championship apart, even if he has had two crap seasons in Saudi but i think we’re looking elsewhere and at better quality than Louie Barry," Moore added.

Gray spent two years in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq but struggled to adapt - scoring just four goals and getting five assists in 50 appearances. Yet, the Jamaica international does bring Premier League experience, having made 200 top-flight appearances across spells with Leicester City and Everton.

Birmingham targeting "higher grade quality" signings

With Blues confirming the arrival of Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle, Moore believes the club's ambitions should stay extended beyond players like Barry - who he says is yet to prove himself at second-tier level.

"Even with some of the links we’ve had recently i think we’re looking at a higher grade quality than Louie Barry, think he needs to go to a club like Hull to be fair to actually prove himself in the Championship," he said.

"Not for me. I think we’re all good and we’ll buy better than Louie Barry."

With Hull City's move for Barry now in serious doubt due to financial worries, other Championship clubs are expected to circle for thew Villa forward. However, if Moore's view is representative of Birmingham's hierarchy, they may well focus their attention on other players.